Commission IX urges faster RSUD Komodo Cath Lab activation in Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo — — East Nusa Tenggara officials and members of the national legislature’s Commission IX have pressed for uninterrupted emergency heart services at RSUD Komodo in Labuan Bajo, focusing on the hospital’s catheterisation laboratory and its cooperation with BPJS Health during a two-day oversight visit in late July 2026.

According to regional outlet Viva NTT, a Commission IX delegation led by chair Felly Estelita Runtuwene inspected RSUD Komodo in West Manggarai on Friday, 24 July 2026, accompanied by East Nusa Tenggara Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma, West Manggarai Regent Edistasius Endi and BPJS Health officials. The visit aimed to accelerate the full reactivation of the hospital’s Catheterisation Laboratory (Cath Lab) for cardiac procedures after administrative problems with BPJS Health cooperation had impeded services.

The Cath Lab at RSUD Komodo is designed for urgent coronary interventions, including angiography and stent placement for heart-attack patients. A Commission IX member identified as Kamal reminded officials that treatment for acute heart attacks must be completed within a critical "golden hour" of around 120 minutes, and should not be delayed by bureaucratic or BPJS-related paperwork. The deputy governor highlighted the hospital’s strategic role as a referral centre for West Manggarai residents and as an emergency support facility for tourists visiting Labuan Bajo.

Emergency funding and hospital orders

Following the discussion at RSUD Komodo, Regent Edistasius Endi instructed the hospital’s management to immediately resume emergency Cath Lab services, according to Viva NTT’s report. The regency government pledged to guarantee financing for emergency cardiac patients, including referrals from neighbouring regencies, even when BPJS Health coverage or administrative credentials were not yet finalised.

Viva NTT reported that local authorities committed to covering costs so that emergency treatment could proceed while claims and contracting issues were resolved with BPJS Health. Earlier, official releases from the Manggarai Barat regency government described the Cath Lab and expanded cardiovascular services at RSUD Komodo as a "gift of independence" for residents, and detailed efforts to train specialist doctors, nurses and other staff in Jakarta and at Harapan Kita National Heart Center.

BPJS Health cooperation and Commission IX role

During the July visit, BPJS Health representatives said they were ready to accelerate the credentialing process for cardio-intervention services at RSUD Komodo once the hospital submitted complete documentation, allowing administrative procedures to be handled outside the regular cycle. Commission IX chair Felly Estelita Runtuwene encouraged BPJS Health to provide stronger assistance to the hospital as regulations and administrative requirements evolve, stressing the need for active communication so that paperwork does not obstruct patient care.

The Commission IX visit formed part of its broader oversight of health, employment and social security programmes in East Nusa Tenggara, with Deputy Governor Johni Asadoma using the occasion to call for central-government support for strategic health facilities, including specialist doctors and advanced equipment for RSUD Komodo and other services linked to Labuan Bajo’s tourism sector.

Background on RSUD Komodo’s Cath Lab

RSUD Komodo’s Cath Lab and associated cardiovascular unit were installed ahead of the ASEAN Summit held in Labuan Bajo in 2023, with the hospital designated as a referral facility for visiting leaders and delegates. The Health Ministry reported that the Cath Lab performed its first coronary angiography procedure on a heart-disease patient on 10 May 2023, confirming that the equipment was operational and could support diagnostic and interventional cardiology services.

Local government releases in August 2024 announced the expansion of cardiovascular services, including interventional coronary procedures, and described RSUD Komodo’s Cath Lab as an important backup for Labuan Bajo’s tourism economy. Officials have since continued to link the hospital’s readiness to the development of Labuan Bajo as a priority tourism destination, emphasising emergency cardiac care for both residents and visitors.

Sources

• Viva NTT regional news
• RRI Kupang – NTT Dorong Penguatan Layanan Kesehatan Nasional
• Ministry of Health of Indonesia – Operation using Cath Lab at RSUD Komodo
• Info Mabar – Manggarai Barat Government official news portal
• DPR RI parliamentary news – Ranny Fahd Arafiq: Labuan Bajo sebagai DPSP Harus Diimbangi Layanan Kesehatan dan SDM